New research at Monmouth College is taking a look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of Illinoisans. Three psychology students researched how social distancing and other measures caused by the pandemic has influenced the mental health of college students and the general public.
That is Abby Tucker, who says those falling into the category of neuroticism showed a fear of the virus and were more likely to have behaviors such as washing hands and avoiding gatherings. Tucker says extroverts differed and did not attempt to avoid gatherings and searched for social interaction.
Abigail Haslem of Galesburg was another researcher who completed the project called “Perceptions of COVID-19 and their Effects on Mental Well-Being and Social Support.”
Haslem says social distancing along with the elimination of many team sports and organizations has caused harm to the mental health of students.
Haslem says her research aligned with historical findings during the SARS and MERS outbreaks in 2002 and 2015. The third researcher was Alison Bowman of Galesburg. She looked at the relationship between the personality types examined by Tucker and alcohol use brought on by the pandemic.